Provincial Entrepreneur Programs: 2026 Comparison

RCIC and CPA guidance comparing Canada's provincial entrepreneur and business immigration streams to find the route that fits your funds and goals.

Compare Canada’s provincial entrepreneur streams in 2026: current status, net worth, investment, exploratory visit and work-permit-first rules, reviewed by a licensed RCIC.

Written and reviewed by Usman Khalil, RCIC (R709592), a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Last reviewed: August 27, 2026.

Provincial entrepreneur streams are the main area to assess for business immigration to Canada in 2026, but their status varies sharply by province, they are not interchangeable, and they do not all behave the same way. Program availability can change. Verify the province’s current intake status and eligibility rules before relying on a route.

Status varies by province: As of 2026, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador are open through competitive or invitation-based selection, Nova Scotia is invitation only, Manitoba’s draws are not currently being conducted, Prince Edward Island’s published 2026 draw table shows 0 Business Work Permit Entrepreneur invitations through August 20, 2026, New Brunswick has replaced its old Entrepreneurial Stream with the Business Immigration Stream, and Ontario’s former Entrepreneur Stream is closed and is no longer a current OINP stream.

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Table of Contents

1. How provincial entrepreneur streams work 2. Compare the streams 3. Evidence and program requirements to review 4. How MAK helps

1. How provincial entrepreneur streams work

Provincial entrepreneur pathways do not follow one uniform process. Some use an expression of interest and invitation before a full application, while the work-permit, business-establishment and nomination stages vary by province and stream. Check the current provincial process before relying on a route. A temporary work permit is not permanent residence, and a provincial nomination is not automatic merely because an applicant invests in or operates a business.

2. Compare the streams

Use the chart as a shortlist tool, then read the dedicated page for any stream that fits, because the chart shows thresholds and status while the stream page explains the full process, eligibility requirements and any exploratory-visit rules.

Province	Stream	Current status (2026)	Net worth	Investment	Business experience	Exploratory visit	Work permit first?	Main risk
British Columbia	Entrepreneur Immigration, Base	Open, small competitive draws	$600,000	$200,000	3 yr owner-manager (last 10 yr)	Recommended	Yes	Competitive selection, not guaranteed
Newfoundland and Labrador	International Entrepreneur	Open, EOI/invitation-based	$600,000	$200,000 (own 33.3%) or $1,000,000 equity	2 yr owner / 5 yr senior	Required if outside NL	Yes	Discretionary nomination
Nova Scotia	Entrepreneur	Invitation-only / discretionary	$600,000 HRM / $400,000 outside	$150,000 HRM / $100,000 outside	3 yr owner / 5 yr senior	Not required	Yes	Eligibility does not equal invitation
Manitoba	Entrepreneur Pathway (BIS)	EOI draws not currently being conducted	$500,000	$250,000 Winnipeg / $150,000 outside	3 yr in last 5	Recommended	Yes	EOI draws are not currently being conducted
Prince Edward Island	Work Permit Stream (Business)	0 Business Work Permit Entrepreneur invitations through August 20, 2026	$600,000	$150,000 (within 12 mo of landing)	Management / ownership, points	Encouraged; interview mandatory	Yes	Selection depends on provincial priorities and EOI invitations
New Brunswick	Business Immigration Stream (NBBIS)	EOI-invitation (old Entrepreneurial Stream closed)	$500,000 ($300,000 farming)	$150,000	2 yr owner / senior in last 5	Priority factor	Yes	Old stream figures are outdated
Ontario	Former Entrepreneur Stream	Closed / no longer a current OINP stream	Not applicable – former stream closed	Not applicable – former stream closed	Historical requirements no longer current	Not applicable	Not applicable	Do not rely on former Entrepreneur Stream criteria

3. Evidence and program requirements to review

Provincial entrepreneur programs assess stream-specific eligibility and business evidence. Depending on the program, this can include the source and availability of funds, business ownership or management experience, the proposed business, and the applicant’s ability to meet the province’s operating or performance requirements. The required evidence and assessment criteria differ by province, so the financial records and business proposal should be prepared against the selected stream’s current rules. Our business immigration overview explains how MAK assesses these files and what an engagement covers.

4. How MAK helps

We help match your profile to a stream that is actually active, and we prepare the funds and business documentation that the chosen province will scrutinize, with RCIC and CPA support.

More province and territory business streams

Additional province and territory entrepreneur and business-route reference pages are listed below. Program status varies and can change, so confirm the current official program before relying on a route.

Provincial entrepreneur streams and the C11 work permit

Comparing provincial entrepreneur streams with C11? They are different tools. Provincial entrepreneur streams are province-led nomination pathways toward permanent residence. The C11 work permit is a temporary federal work permit for business owners, and is not, by itself, permanent residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Several provincial entrepreneur streams require an independent net-worth verification. For help preparing your source-of-funds documentation, see our detailed guide.

Comparing a provincial entrepreneur stream with the federal C11 work permit? See C11 vs PNP Entrepreneur.

Most provincial entrepreneur streams require a business plan or business concept that ties to your investment and performance commitments.

Which province is best for entrepreneur immigration?

It depends on your funds, experience and where you will live and operate. The best fit is a stream that is currently active and matches your profile, not simply the lowest threshold.

Do all provinces require a work permit first?

In most streams, yes. You typically operate on a temporary work permit before you can be considered for a nomination.

Are these thresholds the amounts I pay to immigrate?

No. They are minimum eligibility thresholds for net worth and business investment, not a fee and not a guarantee of nomination.

Why do some provinces show as suspended or invitation-only?

Provinces control their own intake and adjust it with federal allocations. Some are not holding draws and some invite only selectively.

Do you verify my net worth?

Several provinces require verification through designated accounting firms. Our CPA side helps you prepare for that.

Work with a Chartered Professional Accountant + licensed RCIC for business immigration to Canada.

Usman Khalil helps entrepreneurs and investors with business immigration planning, provincial entrepreneur pathways, business plans, source-of-funds documentation, and compliance strategy.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant CICC R709592

CPA – Chartered Professional Accountant (Ontario) Membership # C83028834